Jackson, MS Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee, pushcart
- $150.00, renews annually
- Permit fee, vehicle/tent
- $300.00 (tent: per event)
- Liability insurance
- $500,000 per unit, city as insured
- Issuing office
- Zoning division, Planning & Economic Development
- No permit penalty
- $500 fine + equipment impoundment
Summary
Every mobile food pushcart, tent or vehicle operating in Jackson needs its own permit from the zoning division of the planning and economic development department, backed by $500,000.00 in liability insurance, a state health department food vending permit, and an annual fee that runs $150.00 for a pushcart to $300.00 for a truck or tent.
(a)All mobile food vendors must obtain and maintain a permit for each mobile pushcart, mobile tent or mobile food preparation vehicle operated. The application shall be made with the zoning division of the department of planning and economic development....(6)Proof of a valid insurance policy that provides minimum liability coverage of $500,000.00 per mobile food preparation vehicle, $500,000 for mobile tent, and $500,000.00 per mobile pushcart, with the City of Jackson named as an additional insured....(c)The cost of a permit for a mobile food preparation vehicle is $300.00 The cost of a permit for a mobile pushcart is $150.00, and the cost of a permit for a mobile tent is $300.00 per event.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 55).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 66-78 sets the permit process for mobile food vending. 00 in liability coverage per unit naming the city as an additional insured, plus a written indemnity agreement. Applicants must also disclose felony charges and food-related misdemeanors involving the applicant or any principal. 00 per event for a tent; vehicle and pushcart permits renew annually for the same fee, and all permits must be renewed 30 days before they expire. Permits are non-transferable, must be displayed on the unit at all times, and are non-exclusive, meaning the city can issue any number of them.
The zoning division can revoke a permit for violating its terms, the code, zoning ordinances, or state or federal law, or if the vendor's underlying business license is revoked, using the same procedure as a business license revocation, and a permit obtained with a false or misleading application can be revoked outright.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit draws a $500.00 fine and impoundment of the vending unit under Sec. 66-81, on top of the escalating $150.00 to $500.00 fines for other permit violations. The zoning division can revoke or suspend the permit for violating its conditions, the mobile food vending ordinance, zoning rules, or state and federal law, and every offense is treated as a separate, citable misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a mobile food truck permit cost in Jackson?
How much liability insurance does a Jackson mobile food vendor need?
Can Jackson revoke a mobile food vendor's permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson
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